Questions You Should be Asking to Your BJJ Instructor During a Class

During a class, whether it is in a school or a jiu-jitsu gym, asking questions is one of the best strategies to gain maximum knowledge, understand things better, and progress faster. Specifically, if you are a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu newbie, asking questions of your instructor is of great importance. It not only helps you to improve your knowledge and understand techniques better but can also increase your confidence level and courage to go far in the sport.

However, you should be aware of the etiquette of asking questions and stopping your instructors from making things clear, before they proceed with the session. Here are some things to think about before approaching your BJJ instructor, as well as what questions you should be asking to improve your skills day by day.

1. What Type Of Questions Should You Ask?

Before you begin asking your BJJ instructor questions, you should be aware of the types of questions to ask and the elements to consider when asking questions. Be sure that the question that you are going to ask is specific and easy to understand for the instructor.

Also, do not go for long-tail questions as instructors have to deal with a handful of people, and they do not have enough time to provide each and every detail that your question requires. Keep your questions short and particular to any points that you were unable to understand during the class.

The better questions you ask your BJJ instructor, the better help and information you will get. Asking poor questions can result in missing the desired information.

Also Read: 7 Must-Know Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals for Teachers

2. Keys To Ask Good Questions During A BJJ Class

To make it easy to ask perfect questions during your class, whether it is Gi or No-Gi BJJ, here are some important points to keep in mind while asking questions.

2.1. Be Specific

Always be specific and precise when referring to any point you may have missed during the class or if you were unable to pick up the point for some reason. This will help you get an answer that you can put into practice to improve your technique, knowledge, and game. Instructors do not like to answer baseless or vague questions.

2.2. Don’t Change The Subject

While asking questions, keep them in line with the subject that your trainer is explaining during the class. If something is hitting you but is not related to the topic, save it for later on in class or for the time after the class ends.

2.3. Pay Full Attention And Listen To Details

During the class, remain focused and attentive to all the details and points they discuss. It will not only help you learn better, but it will also allow you to ask insightful questions that instructors would love to answer. About the details that were confusing or interesting, let them know that you are fully attentive and listen to every detail.

Also Read: 14 Habits of An Elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athlete

2.4. Timing Is Important

The timing of questions also matters, and some parts of the class are better than others when it comes to asking a question of your BJJ instructor. The best way is to wait for your instructor to ask you questions, as they will be fully attentive and willing to provide satisfactory information. You should not, however, interrupt the instructor when they are speaking.

2.5. Practice Before Asking A Question

If you are facing issues with a certain technique, it will be vital to attempt it multiple times before you ask your instructor for help. Practicing can help you solve the problem on your own. Then, if you are still stuck with it, ask your instructor a specific question about it.

3. Important Questions To Ask

There might be hundreds of questions on your mind to ask your BJJ instructor. However, none of them can be addressed. A BJJ class might not be long enough for your instructor to answer everything that you want to ask. Therefore, following the above keys regarding asking questions, be specific and limited to the subject of the day. In this regard, here are some good questions that you should ask your BJJ trainer to get a response and improve your BJJ knowledge.

3.1. Which Technique Is More Appropriate According To My Body Type?

During a BJJ class, the most attention-seeking question that you can ask your instructor is about the appropriateness of any technique for your body type. It is a known fact that every person has a particular body type and not all techniques or moves can work perfectly for them. There are a few techniques that suit their body type.

A BJJ instructor passes through all the BJJ training procedures for years, or even decades, to perfect their game. In this way, you will meet a lot of  BJJ fighters and trainees with different body types. So, they can help you identify some specific BJJ techniques considering your body type. In response to this question, your instructor will also guide you through the training goals. They also know the capabilities of their students, so they can guide you accordingly.

3.2. Why Does This Move Work?

Be attentive to the moves that your instructor is teaching during the class. To be clear on the move conceptually, before your trainer goes on to the next one, you can ask why this move works and how best you can do it.

A lot of BJJ practitioners forget that being conceptually strong in BJJ can change your perspective on the game. Though it looks fascinating that you are learning techniques quickly, having a deep understanding of their mechanics makes it easy for you to make them work for you. You may have missed or ignored some details on that move that can make it work for you. Asking your instructor regarding this will show your seriousness towards the training and learning.

Your instructor is one of the best people who can provide you with the conceptual details of the moves as per your body type and requirements. Getting the assistance of your instructor in this way can help you execute moves a lot easier.

3.3. When Should I Give Up On A Move?

We know the fact that every time you go for a technique, it is not essential to work as the opponent also has a defensive move for you. So, you need to learn about the right time to give up on a move to go for another. Every position, guard, and technique has certain limitations, and you can find people who can escape from your traps, so wasting time by going for a specific move, again and again, is not a vital thing for a BJJ trainee.

While learning any move, besides learning to make it work every time, always ask your instructor regarding giving up on the move. Your instructor will surely respond and provide you with alternatives based on your fighting style. Do not get stubborn and insist on making the same move to make it work for you. Doing so can cause harm in actual fights if you keep on trying a single move. Opponents may have a counter for you, such as strangling you in their trap.

3.4. Why Could I Not Make This Move Work?

Sometimes it happens that, regardless of how many times you try, you cannot make a technique work for you. If you are facing trouble with BJJ moves during the class, you can ask your instructor for reasons and possible solutions. However, while asking this question, be specific. Explain your problem and how you intend to solve it precisely. Do not ever scrimp on details. Your BJJ instructor would have the ability to explain the concept and mechanism behind the move. The instructor will share details that you may have lacked while executing the respective move to make it work the next time you try.

3.5. Can You Show Me This Technique?

If you are unable to understand the concept and method of a BJJ move, you can ask your instructor to do it again for you. But for that, do not go around asking in the middle of training when the instructor is demonstrating a technique. Wait for the time when he/she asks questions. Or you can wait until the end of the class when they might have time to do it for you. Asking in the middle of the demonstration of a technique for an unrelated move will count as rude behavior and disrespect for them.

Also read: A Handy Guide to BJJ Gi Grips for Beginners

4. Takeaway

Asking a good question always helps you get a positive response and improves your knowledge and skills. It does not mean you are a bad learner, but it shows that you are paying attention to each detail and taking the initiative to help others too by learning in-depth. Good instructors always encourage such students who ask good questions. Therefore, considering the above discussion, ask good and precise questions in accordance with the subject of the day.

Photo credit: theguardian